The Basic Word for Knitting in Spanish
The word for knitting in Spanish is tejer. This is the verb form — it means "to knit" or "to weave". If you want to say you are knitting, you say "estoy tejiendo" (I am knitting). The noun form, meaning the activity or craft itself, is tejido or tejimiento, though tejido is far more common in everyday speech.
In Spain and most of Latin America, tejer is the standard word you will hear in yarn shops, knitting groups, and casual conversation. It comes from Latin texere, the same root that gives English the word "textile".
Key Takeaways
- Tejer is the Spanish verb meaning "to knit," and tejiendo is the present participle form used when describing the action happening now.
- Tejido can mean both the noun (knitting, or a woven fabric) and the adjective (knitted), depending on context.
- A knitter is called a tejedor (male) or tejedora (female), or you can use the gender-neutral form tejedor/a.
- Knitting needles are agujas de tejer, and yarn is hilo or lana depending on the fiber type.
- Regional variations exist — some areas use punto for knitting, especially in Spain, though tejer remains the most widely understood term.
Verb Conjugation: How to Use Tejer in Different Tenses
The verb tejer follows a regular -ER pattern in Spanish, so it conjugates like other common verbs. In the present tense: yo tejo (I knit), tú tejes (you knit), él/ella teje (he/she knits), nosotros tejemos (we knit), vosotros tejéis (you all knit in Spain), ellos/ellas tejen (they knit).
For the past tense, use the preterite: tejí (I knitted), tejiste (you knitted), tejió (he/she knitted). In the imperfect, which describes ongoing or repeated actions in the past: tejía (I used to knit), tejías, tejía, tejíamos, tejíais, tejían.
The present participle — the form you use with "estar" to say what you are doing right now — is tejiendo. So "estoy tejiendo un suéter" means "I am knitting a sweater." This form is useful when you want to describe the action in progress.
Related Words: Needles, Yarn, and Patterns
Once you know tejer, you will want the words for the tools and materials. Knitting needles are agujas de tejer (literally "knitting needles"). A single needle is una aguja. Yarn is either hilo (thread or yarn in general) or lana (wool specifically). If you are working with cotton or acrylic, hilo is the safer choice; lana refers to wool fiber.
A knitting pattern is a patrón de tejido or straightforward patrón. A stitch is a punto (literally "point"). If someone asks "¿Qué punto estás usando?" they are asking what stitch you are working with. A row is a vuelta or hilera, and a finished piece is a prenda tejida (a knitted garment).
What to Call Yourself: The Word for Knitter
A person who knits is a tejedor (male) or tejedora (female). In mixed groups or when gender is unknown, you can use tejedor/a or the plural tejedores (which can include both men and women). Some Spanish speakers also use the word punto informally — "soy punto" means "I am a knitter," though this is less formal and more regional.
If you want to say "I am a knitter," the clearest way is "Soy tejedora" (if you are female) or "Soy tejedor" (if you are male). You can also say "Me encanta tejer" (I love knitting) or "Soy aficionada al tejido" (I am a knitting enthusiast).
Regional Differences: Punto and Other Local Terms
In Spain, particularly in regions like Galicia and Catalonia, you may hear punto used for knitting. Punto literally means "point" or "dot," but in knitting contexts it refers to the craft itself. "Hacer punto" means "to knit" or "to do knitting." This usage is less common in Latin America, where tejer dominates, but it is worth knowing if you are reading Spanish knitting blogs or books from Spain.
The word calceta is an older or more regional term for knitting, particularly in some parts of Spain, though it is less common in modern usage. Stick with tejer and tejido if you want to be understood everywhere Spanish is spoken.
Phrases You Will Hear in Knitting Circles
In a Spanish knitting group or yarn shop, you might hear: "¿Qué estás tejiendo?" (What are you knitting?), "Necesito más hilo" (I need more yarn), "Se me cayó un punto" (I dropped a stitch), "Estoy en la vuelta 10" (I am on row 10), or "¿Me ayudas a montar los puntos?" (Can you help me cast on?). Montar puntos means to cast on; cerrar puntos means to bind off.
If someone compliments your work, they might say "¡Qué bonito tejido!" (What beautiful knitting!) or "¡Qué bien teje!" (You knit so well!). These are the phrases that will come up in real conversation, so learning them alongside the basic vocabulary makes you ready to talk about your craft in Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tejer used in all Spanish-speaking countries?
Yes, tejer is the standard word across Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and most other Spanish-speaking regions. It is the safest choice if you are learning Spanish and want to be understood everywhere. Punto is used in Spain but less common in Latin America.
What is the difference between tejido and tejimiento?
Tejido is the common noun and adjective — it means "knitting" as an activity or "knitted" as a description (un suéter tejido = a knitted sweater). Tejimiento is technically correct but rarely used in conversation. Stick with tejido in everyday speech.
How do I say "I am learning to knit" in Spanish?
Say "Estoy aprendiendo a tejer" (I am learning to knit) or "Estoy aprendiendo tejido" (I am learning knitting). Both are correct; the first emphasizes the action, the second the skill or craft.
What do Spanish knitters call a knitting circle or group?
A knitting group is often called a "círculo de tejido," "grupo de tejido," or "círculo de punto" (in Spain). Some groups use the English term "knitting circle" even in Spanish-speaking countries, especially online.
Can I use tejer for weaving, or is it only for knitting?
Tejer means both "to knit" and "to weave" — the verb covers both fiber arts. If you need to be specific, you can say "tejer con agujas" (knit with needles) or "tejer en telar" (weave on a loom), but tejer alone is understood in both contexts.